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Pence speaks on jobs, border issues in Roswell

ROSWELL — Appealing to New Mexico voter's concerns about border security, Republican vice president candidate Mike Pence told an audience in Roswell that the only way to secure the nation was to elect Donald Trump as president in November.

ROSWELL — Appealing to New Mexico voter's concerns about border security, Republican vice president candidate Mike Pence told an audience in Roswell that the only way to secure the nation was to elect Donald Trump as president in November.

Speaking at the rally, Pearce said that while Trump was not his first, second or even third choice for the GOP ticket, he has been convinced that the nation needs a leader like Trump.(Photo: (Photo: Jessica Onsurez Current-Argus))

"America needs to be strong for the world to be safe," Pence said during his speech at the Pearson Auditorium at the New Mexico Military Institute.

The auditorium was mostly filled with Trump supporters at 8 p.m. Tuesday during the candidates second event in New Mexico. Pence spoke to about 600 people in Albuquerque's Sandia Resort and Casino earlier in the afternoon.

In Roswell, Pence touched on issues familiar to Trump's campaign: police shootings, border security, growth of poverty during Obama's administration and Hillary Clinton's record as Secretary of State.

"We're tired of being told that this is as good as it gets," Pence said. His words echoed sentiments in the room: Some attendees chanted "traitor" when Clinton's name was mentioned, filling in gaps with "we like Mike."

Joe Eby, a member of the the Ruidoso village council, traveled to Roswell to see Pence speak.

"Mike Pence is just the perfect vice presidential candidate, and he just spoke about the truths," Eby said. "I think everyone agrees that we cannot have Hillary. We need someone who stands up for our country and not the rest of the world."

While Eby found Pence's comments in line with his own political beliefs, others questioned the strong positions voiced by the Trump campaign.

Sophia Brasea, a student at New Mexico Military Institute, said she found the Trump rhetoric against Hispanics offensive.

"I like the idea of a wall, but I don't think he should make other people pay for it," Brasea said.

Fifteen-year-old Ariana Langowski, also a student at NMMI, said she attended the rally to inform herself about the current political landscape. Langowski said she found herself agreeing with some of Pence's comments and put off by others.

Pence's appearance was preceded by speeches from New Mexico secretary of state candidate Nora Espinoza and Congressman Steve Pearce.

Pearce said that while Trump was not his first, second or even third choice for the GOP ticket, he has been convinced that the nation needs a leader like Trump. Pearce praised Pence for his work in job growth as governor of Indiana.

"We want our kids to have careers not just jobs and he and Trump are going to make that happen," Pearce said. "I support Donald Trump and Mike Pence because they're going to shine light in this country that we haven't seen in eight solid years."

The state's Democratic party continues to blast the Trump campaign for its position on economic growth, however. Party leaders said in a statement Tuesday that Pence's visit to New Mexico only added to the negative rhetoric surrounding the Trump campaign.

“Mike Pence is one of the most extreme vice presidential candidates we have seen in recent history. During the event in Roswell, Pence spread the same hateful rhetoric that Trump has made the cornerstone of his campaign and promoted the same failed economic policies that continue to damage New Mexico’s economy," said Juan Sanchez, vice-chair of the state's Democratic Party, in a news release

Pence's visit is the first from the Republican ticket since Trump took the stage in Albuquerque in May during which violence broke out from protesters.

There were no protesters at the Pence event in Roswell.

Neither of his appearances on Tuesday were attended by the state's Republican Governor Susana Martinez. Martinez was in Colorado for a meeting of the National Governor's Association.